Watchlords

"When you think of great American watch companies, brands like Hamilton and Waltham come to mind. Neither of those are American anymore, with Hamilton ending US production in 1969 after being acquired by the Buren Watch Company in Büren an der Aare, Switzerland. Hamilton ultimately became part of the Swatch Group and remains a popular brand today. Waltham is a bit fragmented, but now principally Waltham International SA, manufacturing luxury Swiss Made watches with the company’s majority owner ironically being an American, Antonio DiBenedetto.

Decades ago, both companies manufactured cases and movements, but sadly there are no longer American companies that aren’t importing movements and parts. Well, except for one, which we’ll review today: RGM Watch Co."

https://monochrome-watches.com/rgm-watch-co-classic-enamel-ps-801-ce-american-made-watch-review-price/

It certainly has an erection-inducing movement, but the case blows. The lugs - combined with the 42mm diameter - are far too long. The wrist in one of the photos is obviously a very small one. However, the fact remains that the lug overhang in that shot is so fucking massive, that the watch would likely look silly even on a far bigger wrist.

Having met Roland Murphy and seeing his products up close, I'm impressed; he's done some really remarkable stuff. I'd have to see this one in the flesh - but then again, that's pretty much what his company is about; you can actually go to the HQ and check out the wares.

Spectacular- that case is an RGM staple and looks perfect on a sufficiently nourished and developed wrist- The watch is way to large for the diminutive model, that's not the fault of the lugs. Fuck- the crown is 1/3 of the way to the last knuckle of the model's middle finger for fuck sake.

That being said, it was not said to say that the watch doesn't look like shit on that anti-Cental Casting model, photographed in such a terribly horrible fashion (primarily- 2'ish are good shots). I'm certain the kid would look great in his size 12 1/2 X 41 shirt, 25 1/2 X 38 slacks and 31 xtra long suitcoat, the sonofabitch.

The requisite wide angle lens points of view that have innervated product photography- as seen in the wrist shots and a couple'a others using the all the current rage 35mm lens don't help any, either. Wrong model, staging and photography for the product, undoubtedly the work of a relative. And that being said was not said to say that the 35mm lens doesn't have it's place in the proper application and subject matter; Proctology.

A brief note about the incursion of the 35mm lens: Fuck video.

Edit- While the enamel looks cool, compared to the Seiko Presage line's ancient muushi-ishi (whatever) process, well, but, Murphy is second to none with the engine turning, guilloche (/ɡəˈlōSH/ --- 2 syllables GODDAMMIT), that is. It's the old school, real deal, dying craft executed on restored vintage engines.

Watching video of this guy, or from Breguet, or VC, even though you're watching the machine turn and the metal curl off of the part, it's as though the pattern materializes out of nowhere. I'm pretty sure RGM engine turning vids are on the board- good stuff if you have a minute.